In a recent article from ABC News, it was reported that vacuum erection systems or “penis pumps,” as they are more commonly known, imbibed about $172 million from the Medicare budget between 2006 and 2011. Opponents who got a rise out of this information said that Medicare was investing too large of a load on these devices, but proponents remained firm with their stance that penis pumps are medically necessary for men who have erectile dysfunction. The National Institutes of Health reported roughly 30 million cases of erectile dysfunction in the United States and said that penis pumps were one of the few solutions that are satisfactory for most cases.

Despite the likely future size reduction of the government’s penis pump budget, it seems these devices have proven to be effective enough that they have permanently penetrated their way into Medicare provisions. In addition to being safer than medications, the pumps are more cost-effective in a long-term aspect. Even with stiffer requirements, men who are on Medicare and have erectile dysfunction can still get a hand from the government by following these useful tips:

Understand Part B Coverage. Part B coverage includes types of durable medical equipment. DME is any type of equipment that is deemed medically necessary and can be reused, so a pump fits in this category.

Know how to spot scams. To help Medicare recipients avoid being shafted by scam artists, the Department of Justice points out that no company selling Medicare-approved medical equipment will solicit. The company must have had a request for a call from the recipient first or have an existing business relationship with that person within the past 15 months. Buying a device from a company that will not be accepted by Medicare will result in a large out-of-pocket expense.

Get a firm diagnosis. In order for a claim to stand up, a solid diagnosis from a Medicare-approved physician is necessary. Only people who have been diagnosed with ED will be compensated for purchasing a penis pump.

If erectile dysfunction is suspected, men should see their doctors immediately for a diagnosis to prevent any hard feelings between them and their partners, which can later drive a wedge in an intimate relationship. Problems may still come up during the process of trying to obtain a pump after receiving a diagnosis. If this is the case, contact a Medicare Part B representative who can lighten the load of concern by answering any questions.